Scriptwriting (assignment 1)
As a writer theres a lot of things you need to do before you idea starts production. A writer has to get the 'greenlight' for their idea an script. The 'greenlight' is given by the commissioning editor who is a senior employee of broadcaster and responsible for selecting ideas for the broadcaster. To get the 'greenlight' the commissioning editor must authoritise a particular budget and approve of the plot/storyline of the writers idea. After the commissioning editor gives the 'greenlight' for production they have creative input and oversee the production.
The role of a producer in the commissioning process is to oversee financial, legal and administration of the production. Producers also hire the cast, whether it be in actors/actresses in film or television or voice actors/actresses in games. An example of a producer is the gaming world is Sam Houser who is a producer on the GTA game franchise
The director is responsible for taking the writers ideas and script and pulling it all together and making a sustainable visual piece. The director provide the overall creative vision, which crew work from. A writer has little to no control over how the director interprets their idea/script, which in the film world had led to writers being left frustrated, the most notable example of this is Stephen King. Stanley Kubrick directed the 'The Shining' (1980), which Stephen King wrote, Stephen King admitted his dislike for the film. He went on to remake it and direct himself, and it was no where near as successful.
Script editors are vital to the process. The job of a script editor is to provide an overview of the scriptwriting process. They liaise between the commissioning editor, writer and producer to make sure everyone is on the same page with the script. They use their analysis skills to identify problems within the script. This helps scriptwriters to refine their script and improve it.
An agent is almost a necessity for a scriptwriter as without one it is unlikely they will be taken seriously. It is their job to find work for their clients and organise contracts, which is why it vital to get an experienced agent as they would already have connections and know where to go and who to talk to. To get an agent a writer could contact writers guild and they have a list of agents looking for new material
As a writer you are responsible for research that must go into your idea, this must be extensive as any mistake will be costly during the commissioning process. To get commissioned a writer must write to meet the brief and appropriate format. This is essential and if it isn't met then there is no way you can get commissioned, the narrative must also be engaging as this is essential in any good screenplay. A vast majority of writer are freelance although some work in teams for big companies like disney or warner bros or when it comes to gaming rockstar.
There are only a few options as a writer when trying to get your script commissioned. First is through corporations like Fox, Sony, Disney, Universal etc. although almost all of these go through established relationships as this represents a 'safe bet'. These big companies always have complete control over all stages of production, which would frustrate a writer. Corporations can give writers opportunities to submit their scripts and if they like it they may commission it for one of their channels. For example, UK corporation BBC have a range of scripts that people have submitted on their website which shows them what people like.
Writers could also submit their work to independent production companies. IPC's can strike deals with other companies to produce material, this could be for a broadcast on a network like BBC or ITV. There are hundreds of IPC's in Britain, which gives writers a lot of options. Although different companies work on different genres and varying budgets.
There are also a number of organisations, which are there to assist writers in getting a career in media. Three examples are BBC writers room, good in a room and BFI film academy all of which assist in film tv. An example of an organisation that helps in all areas of scriptwriting is the writers' guild of Great Britain. The Writers guild help writers get better contracts and deal for their work, while also offering training. they help writers in TV, film, theatre, radio, books, comedy, poetry, animation and videogames
As a scriptwriter there are many legal and ethical responsibilities that the scriptwriter must follow and abide by to avoid ramifications. As a scriptwriter you can't copyright an idea but can copyright a script. As the work is digital a date its created on the script this attaches copyright to you and the date. Copyright lasts for the life of the writer plus seventy years. An example of copyright being infringed in film is the film 'The Sting' in which David Maurer sued Universal Studios claiming it was like his script wrote for the film 'The Big Con'. Maurer had licensed his book to a production company, and together they sued and settled for an undisclosed fee
Another legal and ethical consideration for a scriptwriting is libel. Libel is writing inaccurate or malicious about a group, business or person. Writers therefore have to be meticulous in research so no legal troubles arise. To collect damages a person but prove malice was intended.
An ethical issue for writers to consider is bias. Writers need to consider how they are representing different people, groups, events or organisations. It becomes a bigger issue for writers when writing for non-fiction. For example programs such as BBC have a commitment to being impartial and fair
The role of a producer in the commissioning process is to oversee financial, legal and administration of the production. Producers also hire the cast, whether it be in actors/actresses in film or television or voice actors/actresses in games. An example of a producer is the gaming world is Sam Houser who is a producer on the GTA game franchise
The director is responsible for taking the writers ideas and script and pulling it all together and making a sustainable visual piece. The director provide the overall creative vision, which crew work from. A writer has little to no control over how the director interprets their idea/script, which in the film world had led to writers being left frustrated, the most notable example of this is Stephen King. Stanley Kubrick directed the 'The Shining' (1980), which Stephen King wrote, Stephen King admitted his dislike for the film. He went on to remake it and direct himself, and it was no where near as successful.
Script editors are vital to the process. The job of a script editor is to provide an overview of the scriptwriting process. They liaise between the commissioning editor, writer and producer to make sure everyone is on the same page with the script. They use their analysis skills to identify problems within the script. This helps scriptwriters to refine their script and improve it.
An agent is almost a necessity for a scriptwriter as without one it is unlikely they will be taken seriously. It is their job to find work for their clients and organise contracts, which is why it vital to get an experienced agent as they would already have connections and know where to go and who to talk to. To get an agent a writer could contact writers guild and they have a list of agents looking for new material
As a writer you are responsible for research that must go into your idea, this must be extensive as any mistake will be costly during the commissioning process. To get commissioned a writer must write to meet the brief and appropriate format. This is essential and if it isn't met then there is no way you can get commissioned, the narrative must also be engaging as this is essential in any good screenplay. A vast majority of writer are freelance although some work in teams for big companies like disney or warner bros or when it comes to gaming rockstar.
There are only a few options as a writer when trying to get your script commissioned. First is through corporations like Fox, Sony, Disney, Universal etc. although almost all of these go through established relationships as this represents a 'safe bet'. These big companies always have complete control over all stages of production, which would frustrate a writer. Corporations can give writers opportunities to submit their scripts and if they like it they may commission it for one of their channels. For example, UK corporation BBC have a range of scripts that people have submitted on their website which shows them what people like.
Writers could also submit their work to independent production companies. IPC's can strike deals with other companies to produce material, this could be for a broadcast on a network like BBC or ITV. There are hundreds of IPC's in Britain, which gives writers a lot of options. Although different companies work on different genres and varying budgets.
There are also a number of organisations, which are there to assist writers in getting a career in media. Three examples are BBC writers room, good in a room and BFI film academy all of which assist in film tv. An example of an organisation that helps in all areas of scriptwriting is the writers' guild of Great Britain. The Writers guild help writers get better contracts and deal for their work, while also offering training. they help writers in TV, film, theatre, radio, books, comedy, poetry, animation and videogames
The
commissioning process varies across media sectors, for example the BBC must commission based on its public service remit, radio often commission much less as they rely on long running shows. Video games must commission on the rating system ESRB.
Commissions
begin with a pitch from the writer to a commissioning editor. A pitch is an idea summated of a script with emphasis on
the main characters, the conflict, and the genre. When pitching a script, a writer must persuade the professional that there work is viable for production
Commissions
must consider the budget. They have to weigh up the potential cost of the project against expected incomes, this may decide whether they find the project viable.
If a project
is given the okay to be made, this is called greenlighting, although the writers script can be changed after this stage. It is just the idea that has been greenlit. Scripts may
optioned not produced immediately after being greenlit. Optioned is when an interested company buy the rights to the script for an amount of time and for this time they have exclusive rights and the writer will be paid for this.If a script goes into production a writer will often get a a back end bonus from the company.
Once the
script is published it goes to the department heads of the company and
talent in preparation for production, after that it then goes page lockdown the pages must be locked so that any changes made after this time are easily
tracked and logged. Any adjustments during shooting are distributed on revision pages. This logged and noted on new paged e.g. 8A. This avoids having to print and distribute an entirely new
draft for every set of revisions, which saves time and confusion. This avoids a scenario where everyone must get a new script this would save a lot of time . If scenes on page 17 become longer, they
will be continued on new pages 17A, 17B.
Many writers are freelance and may be working on different projects from different companies. Although companies employ their own team of writers whom they trust that have worked on projects before. This means it is vital for a writer to network to build necessary contacts.
A writer will receive royalty payments from
the sales of books and films along with the use of the script. These payments will be split up between the writer, the agent,
and the producers.
Writer’s must produce work using the media industries accepted formatting standards. Films, TV,
radio, gaming are all
formatted to different requirements like font and size used also it must be roughly a page per minute. If formatted incorrectly it may not be read
Some publishing companies may not accept a client unless they have an agent to represent them. Having a well-known and more experienced agent is a advantage as they will
already have contacts to send on the work.Submissions
via a professional source like an agent or manager are known as solicited submissions, whereas without are known as unsolicited submissions.
Time management is vital for a writer as working to deadlines is a big part of the job and poor time management can lead to unfinished scripts. It is even more vital when they have been commissioned as they will work with a team who rely on deadlines being met. If not met this can lead to a strained relationship with producers and others.
Scriptwriters
must be able to communicate their ideas
effectively when pitching a product. Also when liaising
and networking with other industry professionals. This is so their is no confusion and everything runs smoothly.
Legal & Ethical
As a scriptwriter there are many legal and ethical responsibilities that the scriptwriter must follow and abide by to avoid ramifications. As a scriptwriter you can't copyright an idea but can copyright a script. As the work is digital a date its created on the script this attaches copyright to you and the date. Copyright lasts for the life of the writer plus seventy years. An example of copyright being infringed in film is the film 'The Sting' in which David Maurer sued Universal Studios claiming it was like his script wrote for the film 'The Big Con'. Maurer had licensed his book to a production company, and together they sued and settled for an undisclosed fee
Another legal and ethical consideration for a scriptwriting is libel. Libel is writing inaccurate or malicious about a group, business or person. Writers therefore have to be meticulous in research so no legal troubles arise. To collect damages a person but prove malice was intended.
An ethical issue for writers to consider is bias. Writers need to consider how they are representing different people, groups, events or organisations. It becomes a bigger issue for writers when writing for non-fiction. For example programs such as BBC have a commitment to being impartial and fair
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